TV Review: Liar Episode 1

Yes I know this is a poster for the American broadcast, but it's quite slick and I like it!

It's days like today that I love social media! I saw the memedom go to town on Liar after it aired last night on ITV. So of course I had to watch it to see what all the fuss was about (in between my Call the Midwife marathon. That will be reviewed when I catch up!) 

For those of you who do not know, Liar is a drama starring Joanne Froggatt (Anna from Downton Abbey, and she played a serial killer in Dark Angel last year) and Ioan Gruffudd (Captain Fantastic in Fantastic Four, or the really dishy one who almost seduced Beckett in an episode of Castle) as Laura and Andrew, a teacher and a surgeon who meet for a date, and the ensuing events lead to two VERY different accounts. Laura accuses Andrew of rape, while Andrew denies anything happened.

So the million dollar question, and the main plot line, is who's lying? And I am sure the writers (who wrote the Missing too) will have us flip flopping between the two over the next six episodes.

Bottom line, did I enjoy it? Well yes, as much as one can given the subject matter. The episode blatantly sets you up to believe Laura, until a thing at the end (no spoilers don't worry). And her originally idyllic supportive sister isn't so perfect by the end. I kind of guessed that beforehand. After Broadchurch (RIP) I kind have to over-deconstruct every character in a show like this. 

Right now, the show feels like it is laying on extra elements to make the show worthy of a six episode run. With just the main story, I would have made it three or four tops. I will be interested to see where the side plots go. Also I'm a bit rubbish at pointing out the real culprits in these 'who is it?' format. But I am on a mission to get this one right.

I'm not sure if I will review this every week at the moment, but I will definitely try if each episode has enough to write about. I have a lot of my TV back in the next few weeks so I might have to prioritise! 

If not, I try to live tweet when I watch things live (or as close to live as I can) so drop me a follow @bylauramfox!